Uncontrollable anger, sex addiction, strange phobias, unexpected deep depression, self-loathing and self-destructive tendencies these are all signs of the shadow archetype – and we have one.
The shadow archetype is also known as the shadow itself or the dark side of humanityoften happens encountered in shadow work and has been seen in myths and legends since the dawn of mankind.
Here are some examples that might come up if you’re trying to discover your own shadow archetype: through your inner workand how it affects your life, you’ll find that and more here!
Want to take the test right away? Click here to go directly to the shadow archetype test.
What is the Jungian Archetype of the Shadow?
How can a person see rightly if he does not see himself and the darkness he unconsciously carries with him in all he does?
– CG Jung, Important Jung
We can thank the Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung for his idea psychological archetypeswhich ones patterns that occur repeatedly in the human mind.
Among the many archetypes of our species is what Jung called the “Shadow,” the dark, repressed, and hidden side of our nature.
How does your shadow form (and show its activity)?
For one reason or another, we have all left parts of ourselves behind we consciously or unconsciously reject.
These rejected parts are often counted “ugly”, “bad”, “unworthy”, “angry”, “unlovable”, or even “dangerous”, and so they are banished from our conscious selves (also called “our personality”).
But these passages are forbidden to ourselves just don’t get lost into thin air. Instead, they are buried, locked away, and in some cases actively blocked in our deep unconscious mind.
The longer these shadow parts are cut off from the light of consciousness, the more they fester and accumulate like a simmering volcano waiting to explode.
Events intense anger, emotional disturbances, mental health crisis, drug addiction, dark nights of the souland many other issues are a sign of the shadow tries to get our attention.
Why should you face your shadows?
We need to free ourselves from the self-destructive power of our shadows turn towards they are
We must add to our lives by befriending the shadow archetype and discovering the hidden gifts it carries. In Jung’s words,
Everyone has a shadow, the less it is embodied in the conscious life of the individual, the darker and denser it is.
Spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle writes about and refers to the shadow archetype. “Pain is the body.” He writes:
The pain body, a dark shadow cast by the ego, actually fears the light of your consciousness. He is afraid to find out. Its survival depends on your unconscious identification with it, as well as your unconscious fear of facing the pain that resides in you. But if you don’t face it, if you don’t bring the light of your mind into the pain, you will be forced to relive it again and again.
Examples of the Shadow Archetype
Here is a list of examples of the shadow archetype.
Keep that in mind Most of us have more than one shadow archetypeand they can change during our lifetime.
Also, remember that none of these shadow archetypes are completely black or white—there is one of each type hidden gift or power:
- Addicted
- greed
- Worker
- a beggar
- Bully
- A coward
- Wounded / orphaned child
- Destroyer
- Seducer / Black Widow / Don Juan
- A gambler
- Gossip
- Perfectionist
- Critic
- You are unhappy
- Anarchist
- Saboteur
- Tricky
- Slave
- Sorcerer / Enchantress
- Thief/Quranist
- Tyrant
- A vampire
- The victim
Several shadow archetypes in pop culture and fiction Includes Green Goblin (Spiderman), Alex (Orange clock), Moriarty (Sherlock Holmes), Gollum (The Lord of the Rings), Bellatrix Lestrange and Lord Voldemort (Harry Potter), Norman Bates (Psycho), Darth Vader (Star Wars), Joker (Batman), Regina George (Bad Girls), Ursula (Little mermaid), Agent Smith (Matrix), Duck Phillips (Mad Men), Hannibal Lecter (Hannibal), Montgomery Burns (The Simpsons), Joffrey Baratheon (Game of Thrones), Nurse Ratched (One flew over the cuckoo’s nest).
You can find more ways to work with my shadow archetype Mindful Shadow workbook!
What is your shadow archetype? (Free test!)
There are seven main shadow archetypes in this testcorresponding to the seven chakras. The result will help you find some focus and clarity on your healing journey.
What is your shadow archetype? Share in the comments below!
**NOTE: If you’re taking this test on your phone, be aware that the results are within a certain time frame embedded iframeso if you have trouble scrolling down, try to move to the far right side of the screen to continue down. Also, several people have reported that their results are not visible. You don’t seem to be getting any resultsplease try this test on a different browser (eg Safari, Firefox, Google Chrome) and if that doesn’t work, use another device or open in incognito mode. Enjoy!
What was your result? Please share in the comments below. I would love to know!
If you’re interested in other sources related to soy, here are a few: Shadow himself test, 35 Shadow Job Suggestions (For Each Chakra)and 21 Signs You’re Experiencing “Soul Loss”.
